Absorbent pad

ABSTRACT

A pad of the disposable type for the protection of, for example, seat cushions, bedclothes or changing tables has a liquid-receiving covering layer intended to face away from the object that requires protection, a liquid-tight backing layer adapted to face towards the object that requires protection when it is being used, and the pad also includes a device for closing the pad after use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of PCT/SE2004/001950, whichwas filed on Dec. 21, 2004, and which designates the U.S. The entirecontents of PCT/SE2004/001950 is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a pad of the disposable type for theprotection of objects that require to be protected, for example seatcushions, bedclothes or changing tables. The pad comprises aliquid-receiving covering layer intended to face away from the objectthat requires protection and an essentially liquid-tight backing layerintended to face towards the object that requires protection when it isbeing used. The pad also comprises means for closing the pad after use.

BACKGROUND

In hospitals and other care institutions, and in the area of care in thehome, different kinds of pad of the disposable type are used, such aschair or bed protectors, to prevent urine and/or feces from penetratinginto and contaminating bedclothes and mattresses in beds and seatcushions on chairs. It is not uncommon, when changing infants' diapers,for pads to be used, for example in order to protect the changing tableon which the diaper change is performed.

When a pad of this kind has become contaminated with urine and/or feces,the normal procedure is for the pad to be folded together or rolled upwith the liquid-tight backing layer facing outwards, as a consequence ofwhich the contents of the protector are well-shielded from thesurroundings. Such handling of the pad facilitates its subsequenthandling and reduces problems of unpleasant odors when disposal of thepad is necessary.

The situation also arises in which a used diaper is placed on the pad,after which the pad is folded around the diaper so that a hygienicpackage is formed that is suitable for disposal.

One type of pad intended for changing tables is described in document JP2002248126 A. The pad includes an adhesive surface arranged on thebacking layer adjacent to one of the edges of the protector, inconjunction with which the adhesive surface is intended to be used forclosing the pad after it has been used and folded together. The documentalso stipulates that it is appropriate for the used diaper to be placedinside the protector before it is folded up and disposed of.

One disadvantage of providing the protector with an adhesive surfacedirectly on the backing layer is that the adhesive surface facesoutwards away from the folded protector when the latter is folded/rolledup with the backing later facing outwards, which is the best and mostcommonly encountered method of folding. The part of the pad thatcontains the adhesive surface must accordingly be folded one more timein order to cause the adhesive surface to face towards the backing layerof the pad so that closure of the pad can take place.

The joint between the backing layer and the adhesive surface will alsobe loaded in an unfavorable fashion, because of the above-mentionedfolding, and will be subjected to a splitting force which reduces thestrength of the joint significantly compared with the situation in whichthe joint is instead subjected to a shearing force.

A further disadvantage of an adhesive surface arranged in accordancewith that described in JP 2002248126 A is that the adhesive surface mustbe covered with some form of protective layer before the adhesivesurface is used, as a consequence of which the protective layer must beremoved before use. The separate protective layer thus requires handlingin conjunction with disposal of the pad, which can present certainproblems.

Other documents describe different types of pads comprising means forsecuring the pad to a bed, for example, when it is being used. DocumentU.S. Pat. No. 4,097,943, for example, describes a bed pad comprisingadhesive strings along the edges for the purpose of securing it to thebedclothes.

In principle the same problem is encountered with this type ofprotector, as with the protector described in document JP 2002248126 A.

Described in document EP 0,218,568 are pads provided with specialsurfaces comprising high-friction materials, in which the intention ofthe high-friction surfaces is to cause the pad to lie still in the bedeven if the patient lying in the bed moves. The function of protectorsof this kind essentially does not take account of the closure of theprotector in a folded configuration that is suitable for disposal afteruse.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY

Prior to the present invention, a need existed, therefore, for a padthat is capable of being folded and closed in a simple and hygienicfashion after it has been folded together or rolled up in conjunctionwith the intended disposal of the pad.

A pad of the kind referred to by way of introduction has been madeavailable which essentially overcomes the problems that were associatedwith earlier previously disclosed articles.

The pad is characterized primarily in that the means for closing the padafter use comprises at least one securing flap comprising a first endarea and a second end area. The first end area is permanently attachedto the backing layer or to the liquid-receiving covering layer, and thesecond end area of the securing flap comprises a securing deviceintended to be secured to the pad after use.

By providing the pad with a securing flap, where one end is permanentlyattached to the pad and the other end is free and comprises a securingdevice, the securing flap constitutes an effective closing device forthe pad after it has been used and may possibly contain urine.

In accordance with one embodiment, the pad comprises an absorbent layerarranged between the liquid-receiving covering layer and the backinglayer. By providing the pad with a separate, absorbent layer that isseparated from the liquid-receiving layer, quite large quantities ofmatter excreted from the body can be absorbed without the pad having tobe unreasonably costly to manufacture.

In accordance with one embodiment of the pad, the securing device isarranged on the side of the securing flap that faces towards the pad.The securing flap can be closed, by positioning the securing deviceagainst the pad, without the securing flap requiring to be rotated aboutits longitudinal direction.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the second end areaof the securing flap is attached in a detachable fashion to the backinglayer or to the liquid-receiving covering layer. The non-permanentlyattached end area of the securing flap is prevented through thisembodiment from being free from the surface of the pad, which couldinterfere with the use of the pad.

In accordance with one embodiment, the securing device comprises anadhesive surface. Since by far the majority of pads exhibit a backinglayer made of plastic film, to which adhesive can be attached in anexcellent fashion, a securing device comprising adhesive offers both aninexpensive and an effectively functioning solution.

In accordance with one embodiment, a protective layer is arrangedbetween the securing device and the backing layer or theliquid-receiving covering layer. The protective layer is treated with arelease agent on the side which faces towards the securing device, andin conjunction with which the opposite side of the protective layer ispermanently attached to the backing layer or to the liquid-receivingcovering layer.

In accordance with another embodiment, the backing layer or theliquid-receiving covering layer is treated with a release agent wherethe securing device is attached in a detachable fashion to the backinglayer or the liquid-receiving covering layer. This embodiment provides amaterial-saving and inexpensive solution for a securing flap that isattached in a detachable fashion to the pad, although it imposes certainrequirements for synchronization in conjunction with manufacturing ofthe pad.

One embodiment is characterized in that the securing device comprises aVelcro® element of the male type or the female type intended to interactwith at least one Velcro® element arranged on the backing layer or onthe liquid-receiving covering layer. The advantage of using Velcro®elements on the securing device and on the pad is that the means forclosing also functions if the surface where closure is effected is dampor contaminated, for example by skin ointment or the like.

In one embodiment, the backing layer or the liquid-receiving coveringlayer of the pad comprises at least one surface which can interact withthe Velcro® element arranged on the securing device.

One embodiment is characterized in that the backing layer of the padcomprises a nonwoven material arranged remotely from theliquid-receiving covering layer of the pad, in conjunction with whichthe nonwoven material can interact with the Velcro® element of thesecuring device. A nonwoven material comprising eyes (loops) of anappropriate design is a very economical material that is able tointeract with a Velcro® element of the male type.

In accordance with one embodiment, the means for closing the pad isarranged on the backing layer of the pad. The application of the meansfor closing arranged on the backing layer of the pad means that themeans does not interfere with the use of the pad, for example as a bedprotector or a changing table protector. The application further meansthat it is particularly easy to use the means after the pad has beenfolded together/rolled up with the essentially liquid-tight layer facingoutwards, because the means automatically ends up on the outside inconjunction with such folding together/rolling up.

In accordance with one embodiment, the securing flap consists of a paperstrip, in conjunction with which the paper strip includes a folded areaso that the securing flap can be extended by stretching out the foldedarea. Paper is an inexpensive and effectively functioning material for asecuring flap that is suitable as a closing device for A pad.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the securingflap comprises an elastic area, in conjunction with which the securingflap can be extended by stretching out the elastic area.

In accordance with one embodiment, the second end area of the securingflap is arranged between the first end area of the securing flap and theedge of the pad when the securing flap is in its first folded orunstretched state. When the fold is unfolded or when the elastic area isstretched out, the second end area of the securing flap reaches beyondthe edge of the pad. This embodiment permits closure of the used andfolded-up/rolled-up pad adjacent to the edge of the pad. Positioning ofthe securing flap next to the edge of the pad is compatible with themost commonly encountered method of folding together/rolling up A padafter use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows A pad in accordance with a preferred embodiment of theinvention from the side that is intended to face towards the object thatis to be protected

FIG. 2 a shows a section through the means in FIG. 1 for closing the padbefore the means has been used

FIG. 2 b shows a section through the means in FIG. 2 a in theoutstretched state before it is to be closed against the backing layerof the pad

FIG. 2 c shows a section through the means in FIG. 2 b when the meanshas been secured to the back of the pad

FIG. 3 shows a rolled-up/folded pad before the means of closure has beenused

FIG. 4 shows the pad in FIG. 3 after closure with the help of the means

FIG. 5 a shows a section through an alternative means for closing thepad before the means has been used

FIG. 5 b shows a section through the means in FIG. 5 a when the means issecured to the back of the pad

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A pad for disposable use comprises means for the closure of the pad in afolded configuration that is suitable for disposal after use.

Pads of the type described here have many different areas of applicationin institutional care, care in the home and the care of infants who arenot yet potty trained.

Pads are used first and foremost to protect bedclothes and mattresses inconjunction with the care of incontinent patients, although theprotection of seat cushions, wheelchairs or the like is also a commonoccurrence. Changing tables, on which diapers are changed on infants,are another surface that it is customary to protect with the help ofdifferent types of pad.

FIG. 1 shows essential components of a pad 101 in accordance with theinvention. The pad 101 is essentially rectangular and has four edges112,113,114,115.

The pad 101 comprises a liquid-receiving covering layer 102, arrangedover the surface of the pad 101 that is intended to face towards theuser during use. The pad 101 further has a backing layer 104 arrangedover the surface of the pad that is intended during use to face towardsthe object that the pad is intended to protect. The pad also comprisesan absorption body 106 enclosed between the water-receiving coveringlayer 102 and the backing layer 104. Because the pad 101 comprises aseparate absorption body 106, the primary function of thewater-receiving covering layer 102 is to allow liquid to pass through,as a consequence of which the absorbent capacity of the liquid-receivinglayer 102 is of no significance or only secondary significance.

The liquid-receiving covering layer 102 of the pad 101 extends outsidethe absorption body 106 along the entire periphery of the absorptionbody 106. The liquid-receiving covering layer 102 can consist of anymaterial that is suitable for the purpose. Examples of commonlyencountered liquid-receiving covering materials are non-woven textilematerials, known as nonwoven materials, perforated plastic films, meshesmade of plastic or textile, and liquid-permeable foam layers.Liquid-receiving covering materials that are made of continuous thinfibers, which extend over the entire pad, are also conceivable.Laminates consisting of two or more of the above-mentioned possiblecovering materials are also commonly encountered, as are coveringsconsisting of different materials in different parts of the surface.

Pads 101 comprising absorption bodies 106 which exhibit especially highstrength and resistance to wear may even function without the need toprovide any extra liquid-receiving covering layer on the side of the pad101 that faces towards the user during use.

Certain alternative pads exhibit no special absorption body, but theliquid-receiving covering layer consists of a combined covering andabsorption layer. A common feature of such layers of material is thatthey contain natural fibers, for example cotton fibers, or rayon fibers.Pads that are constructed without a separate absorption body areintended primarily for situations in which larger absorption quantitiesare not anticipated.

The backing layer 104 also extends outside the absorption body 106 alongthe entire periphery of the absorption body 106. Backing layers 104 thatare normally present on pads 101 are usually liquid-impermeable,although other types of backing layer can also be envisaged. The backinglayer 104 can consist of a range of different materials. It is mostcommon for the backing layer 104 to consist of a thin, liquid-tightplastic film, although it is also possible to use other types ofliquid-tight materials such as nonwoven materials that have been madeliquid-tight, for example by means of plastic coating, liquid-tight foamlayers, liquid-tight adhesive or similar. The backing layer 104 can alsoconsist of a liquid-tight, vapor-permeable material, as a consequence ofwhich the pad 101 exhibits a certain capacity to breathe, which makesthe pad more comfortable in use. Also encountered are laminatescontaining at least one liquid-tight layer usually arranged against theabsorption body 106. Such laminates normally consist of a liquid-tightmaterial functioning as a moisture barrier and a more textile-likematerial arranged on the side of the pad 101 that faces towards theobject that is to be protected. Pads which exhibit such a backing layerexhibit greater friction with the object that is to be protectedcompared with a pad with a plastic back, for example, as a consequenceof which the tendency to come out of position is reduced during use. Thetextile-like layer of the laminate usually consists of a nonwoven layer,although it can naturally also consist of other textile materials.

In order to ensure that the pad remains in place without sliding on thesupporting surface (the object to be protected), pads also exist withadhesive surfaces and/or high-friction surfaces arranged in appropriateparts of the side of the pad that is intended to face towards the objectthat is to be protected.

The liquid-receiving covering layer 102 and the backing layer 104 areattached to one another outside the absorption body 106 along the entireperiphery of the absorption body 106.

The liquid-receiving covering layer 102 and the backing layer 104 may beattached to one another by a number of different means. Examples ofmeans of attachment include gluing, thermal fusion, ultrasonic weldingor the like.

The pad 101 is characterized first and foremost in that it exhibitsmeans 120 for closing the pad 101 after use.

FIG. 2 a shows means 120 for closing as a sectioned view along the lineII-II in FIG. 1, in conjunction with which the means 120 is shown in aposition before it is used.

The means 120 comprises an elongated securing flap 121, a protectivelayer 122 and a securing device 123. The securing flap 121 is arrangedin conjunction with the edge 112 of the pad 101, as a consequence ofwhich it is permanently attached to the backing layer 104 adjacent toits first end area 124. The second end area 125 of the securing flap 121is attached in a detachable fashion to the backing layer 104 of the pad101 via a protective layer 122 that has been treated with a releaseagent.

The protective layer 122 is treated with a release agent on the sidethat faces towards the securing flap 121, whereas the opposite side ofthe protective layer 122 is not treated with a release agent. The sideof the protective layer 122 that is not treated with a release agent ispermanently attached to the backing layer 104 of the pad 101 via theglued joint 127. The side of the protective layer 122 that is treatedwith a release agent is attached in a detachable fashion to the securingflap 121 via the securing device 123, in conjunction with which thesecuring device 123 is permanently attached to the securing flap 121.

The protective layer 122 consists of a piece of material made of paperthat is treated with a release agent by means of silicon on the sidethat faces towards the securing flap 121.

In alternative embodiments, the protective layer can consist of aplastic layer which strengthens the backing layer 104 of the pad 101 sothat the adhesive surface of the securing device 123 can be detachedfrom the backing layer 104 of the pad 101 without the backing layertearing in spite of the relatively high parting force. Plastic layersthat are embossed are preferable because the active surface of the gluedjoint is reduced, as a consequence of which the parting force isreduced.

In other alternative embodiments, it is conceivable not to have aseparate protective layer, but instead to treat the backing layer of thepad 101 locally with a release agent where it is intended that thesecuring device must be capable of being detached.

The securing device 123 preferably consists of an adhesive surface withthe ability to adhere to the majority of commonly encountered materialson pads 101, and especially to a plastic film surface, which is thebaking layer material most commonly encountered in A pad.

The securing device 123 does not extend as far as the front edge 128 ofthe securing flap 121, which makes it easier to take hold of thesecuring flap 121 when detaching it from the protective layer 122.

In alternative embodiments, the securing device can consist of male orfemale parts of Velcro® material or the like. Securing devices made ofVelcro® material require that the back of the pad is provided withreceiving surfaces consisting of male or female parts of Velcro®material where the securing device is intended to be attached, and alsothat the protective layer comprises a material of the Velcro® type. Itis also possible to envisage embodiments in which essentially the wholeof the back of the pad exhibits a material with the ability to interactwith female or male components of the Velcro® type, as a consequence ofwhich no specially arranged receiving surfaces are required on the backof the pad. It is possible, for example, to envisage that the backinglayer of the pad comprises a nonwoven material comprising loops, as aconsequence of which it can interact with a securing device made ofVelcro® material of the male type.

The securing flap 121 is folded in the form of a Z in its initial state,in conjunction with which the front edge 128 of the securing flap 121 isarranged close to the edge 112 of the pad 101, so that the second endarea 125 of the securing flap 121 extends past the edge 112 of the pad101 when the Z-folded part is stretched out. The securing flap 121consists of a strip of paper, although in alternative embodiments it canconsist of a strip of nonwoven material, plastic or the like.

Different types of laminate are also conceivable as securing flaps.

On the second end area 125 of the securing flap 121, the securing device123 is arranged on the side of the securing flap 121 that faces towardsthe backing layer 104 of the pad 101.

FIG. 2 b shows the means 120 in its detached state before closureagainst the backing layer 104 of the pad 101 has been effected. Thesecond end area 125 of the securing flap 121 comprising the securingdevice 123 now constitutes the free end of the securing flap 121. TheZ-folding of the securing flap 121 has now been stretched out so thatthe securing flap 121 extends past the edge 112 of the pad 101. Thesecuring flap 121 has not yet been secured to the pad 101. The securingdevice 123 faces towards the pad 101.

FIG. 2 c shows a section through the means 120 in FIG. 2 b when thesecuring flap 121 is secured to the backing layer 104 of the pad 101,and the part of the pad 101 to which the securing flap 121 has beenattached. The pad 101 is folded up/rolled up, as a consequence of whichthe backing layer 104 of the pad 101 faces outwards, and to which thesecuring flap 121 has been attached. The attachment created between thebacking layer 104 of the pad 101 and the securing device 123 isessentially permanent, because the backing layer 104 of the pad has notbeen treated with a release agent where the attachment is arranged.

A tight and hygienic unit has been created, which is easy tohandle/dispose of even if it contains urine or feces.

FIG. 3 shows the pad 101 in FIG. 1 after it has been rolled up with thebacking layer 104 facing outwards to the surroundings. The means 120 forclosing the pad has not yet been used to close the pad 101.

In FIG. 4, the means 120 for closing the pad 101 has been applied, inconjunction with which the securing device 123 has been attached to thebacking layer 104 so that the pad 101 is held together by the securingflap 121. The fold indications which derive from the Z-folding of thesecuring flap 121 are shown in the form of transverse markings on thesecuring flap 121.

Shown in FIG. 5 a is an alternative embodiment of a means 120 forclosing the pad 101, and the part of the pad 101 to which the means 120is intended to be attached.

The securing flap 121 in this embodiment exhibits an elastic area 129between the first and the second end area 124,125, in conjunction withwhich the securing flap 121 is capable of being extended in thelongitudinal direction of the securing flap 121. The elastic securingflap 121 can be extended so that the second end area 125 of the securingflap 121 passes the edge 112 of the pad. The securing flap 121 thus doesnot need to be folded in its initial configuration in order for thesecond end area 125 of the securing flap 121 to be capable of extendingbeyond the edge 112 of the pad 101.

The end areas 124,125 of the securing flap 121, that is to say the areaswhere the securing flap 121 is attached to the backing layer 104 of thepad 101, exhibit no elastic properties. One reason for this is that itis comparatively more complicated to attach an elastic material, than anonelastic material, to another material, although it is naturally alsopossible for the end areas 124,125 of the securing flap 121 to consistof an elastic material.

The end area 124 of the securing flap 121 is permanently attached to thebacking layer of the pad 101, while the second end area 125 is attachedin a detachable fashion to the backing layer 104. The backing layer 104in this case is treated locally with a release agent under the securingdevice 123, as a consequence of which no separate protective layer isrequired in this embodiment.

FIG. 5 b shows how a folded-up/rolled-up pad 101 has been closed afteruse with the backing layer 104 facing outwards. The liquid-tight backinglayer 104 constitutes an effective barrier against any matter excretedfrom the body contained in the pad 101. The elastic area 129 of thesecuring flap 121 has been extended past the edge 112 of the pad beforeit has been attached to the backing layer 104 of the pad 101. The newconnection between the backing layer 104 and the securing device 123 maybe regarded as permanent, since the backing layer is not treated with arelease agent where the connection is arranged.

The invention also extends to all conceivable combinations of thedescribed illustrative embodiments.

Furthermore, the invention is not restricted to the above-mentionedillustrative embodiments, but is naturally applicable to otherembodiments within the scope of the following patent claims, andequivalents thereof.

1. A disposable pad for the protection of an object that requiresprotection, the pad comprising: a liquid-receiving covering layerintended to face away from the object that requires protection, anessentially liquid-tight backing layer intended to face towards theobject that requires protection when it is being used, and a device forclosing the pad after use, wherein the device comprises at least onesecuring flap having a first end area and a second end area, the firstend area is permanently attached to the backing layer or to theliquid-receiving covering layer, the second end area of the securingflap has a device for securely attaching to the pad after use.
 2. Thepad as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pad comprises an absorbent layerarranged between the liquid-receiving covering layer and the backinglayer.
 3. The pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attaching device isarranged on the side of the securing flap which faces towards the pad.4. The pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second end area of thesecuring flap is attached in a detachable fashion to the backing layeror to the liquid-receiving covering layer.
 5. The pad as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the securing device comprises an adhesive surface. 6.The pad as claimed in claim 4, wherein a protective layer is arrangedbetween the securing device and the backing layer or theliquid-receiving covering layer, the protective layer is treated with arelease agent on the side which faces towards the securing device, andan opposite side of the protective layer is permanently attached to thebacking layer or to the liquid-receiving covering layer.
 7. The pad asclaimed in claim 4, wherein the backing layer or the liquid-receivingcovering layer is treated with a release agent where the securing deviceis attached in a detachable fashion to the backing layer or theliquid-receiving covering layer.
 8. The pad as claimed in claim 1,wherein the securing device comprises a Velcro® element of the male typeor of the female type adapted to interact with at least one Velcro®element arranged on the backing layer or on the liquid-receivingcovering layer.
 9. The pad as claimed in claim 8, wherein the backinglayer or the liquid-receiving covering layer of the pad comprises atleast one surface which interacts with the Velcro® element arranged onthe securing device.
 10. The pad as claimed in claim 8, wherein thebacking layer of the pad comprises a nonwoven material arranged remotelyfrom the liquid-receiving covering layer of the pad, and the nonwovenmaterial interacts with the Velcro® element of the securing device. 11.The pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device for closing the pad isarranged on the backing layer of the pad.
 12. The pad as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the securing flap comprises a paper strip, the paperstrip includes a folded area, and the securing flap can be extended bystretching out the folded area.
 13. The pad as claimed in claim 1,wherein the securing flap comprises an elastic area, and the securingflap can be extended by stretching out the elastic area.
 14. The pad asclaimed in claim 12, wherein the second end area of the securing flap isarranged between the first end area of the securing flap and the edge ofthe pad when the securing flap is in its first folded or unstretchedstate, and the second end area of the securing flap reaches beyond theedge of the pad when the fold is unfolded or when the elastic area isstretched out.